Day 1

The Maze Runner Lesson Plan

Discussion of Thought Questions

1

What tone or mood does Dashner create in this first section of the novel? What techniques does he employ to develop it? Why do you think he chose this way to begin the novel?

(5 minutes)

Dashner develops a mysterious and suspenseful tone to begin the novel. He does so by focusing the third-person point of view on the character of Thomas. Thomas has had his memory erased, for the most part, and is introduced to a bizarre world with new people, new slang words, and an inexplicable maze with monsters who guard it. Dashner purposely delays the unveiling of information about this strange place, so the reader is closely connected to the feelings and questions that Thomas experiences. He...

Thomas was hit with a wave of confusion, blistered with panic. The voices were odd, tinged with echo; some of the words were completely foreign — others felt familiar. He willed his eyes to adjust as he...